The Nigerian Army has warned bloggers, media professionals, and social media influencers not to set social media on fire with their posts in a quest to drive traffic.

The advice was given by Major Gen. H. T. Dada, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, during the opening of the 33rd Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar, which was attended by bloggers, social media influencers, and media practitioners on Tuesday, April 23rd, at the GIA Event Center in Aba, Abia State.

He bemoaned the detrimental impacts of provocative social media posts and fake news. For everyone’s benefit, the GOC asked social media influencers and media professionals to limit offensive content.

According to his explanation, the Nigerian Army organised and introduced the seminar “to provide a veritable platform to keep our youths abreast of its activities which are geared towards ensuring our national security.”

He advised content producers and social media influencers to use their platforms to promote development rather than create fake news that will cause societal unrest. According to him, the seminar will effectively supply state youths with the knowledge needed to ensure a secure society for everyone.

“It’s also intended to serve as a feedback mechanism to examine our operations and improve the quality of services we provide to the public.”

According to the GOC, the day’s seminar was expected to help “consolidate our operational achievements and enhance the economic development of Abia in particular and the South-East region in general.” The GOC expressed hope about the outcome.

Brigadier Gen. Olusola Diya, acknowledged the positive aspects of social media and advocated for maximizing its benefits for the collective benefit.

Additionally, he admonished them to use social media to expose the wrongdoings of certain military people to the military authorities. “Report any abuses committed by a few dishonest individuals while serving the “nearest military establishment” by using your social media account.

We have our names on our uniforms. At the checkpoint, get the name and address of the erring soldier and forward it to us. We’re going to act immediately. “There have been numerous atrocities reported to us, including extortions at checkpoints. We need information to deal with the soldiers involved.”

Nollywood actor Osita Iheme, known as Papaw, suggested in a statement that social media influencers and content producers limit their posts to topics supporting harmony and peace. He expressed concern over detrimental social media posts’ adverse effects on particular firms.”Stop using your posts to cause trouble in society. Don’t use social media to undermine society; concentrate on your real life.

Among the speakers at the conference, which had the theme “Enhancing National Security Through the Responsible Use of Social Media,” were resource persons like Dr. Ehiz Odigie and Professor U. J. Ogbonna of Abia State University in Uturu. More than a thousand people from all around the state attended the seminar.

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